Biodiversity Action Plan
The North York Moors Biodiversity Action Plan
The term ‘biodiversity’ encompasses the whole variety of life on earth. It includes common as well as less familiar species. For example, when we talk of moorland biodiversity we are referring to the heather, mosses, insects, waders, grouse, and all the other animals, plants and fungi that are found in the habitat. Biodiversity also includes the genetic variation within a species. The world is losing biodiversity at an alarming rate, mainly as a result of human activity. The UK alone lost over 100 known species in the twentieth century, with many more species and habitats in danger.
The National Park Authority has written a Biodiversity Action Plan to set out the priorities for nature conservation in the Park and the means by which we can address them. The National Park Authority owns very little land itself, so the vast bulk of our work to stem damaging changes and encourage beneficial ones is carried out in co-operation with those who live and work in the National Park. The aims of the local plan are:
- To raise awareness of the need for biodiversity conservation in the local area.
- To identify targets for species and habitats relevant to the local area and reflecting the values of local people.
- To ensure that these targets for species and habitats are translated into effective action at the local level.
- To build effective partnerships, ensuring that nature conservation programmes are maintained in the long term.
The Local Biodiversity Action Plan Introduction below provides an overview of biodiversity in the National Park and the LBAP process. All of the habitat and species action plans listed below are in a final draft form. If you would like to make a comment on these final drafts please write to Rona Charles, senior ecology officer at conservation@northyorkmoors-npa.gov.uk or North York Moors National Park Authority, The Old Vicarage, Bondgate, Helmsley, YO62 5BP.
(Please click on the introduction or an individual action plan within the table to download the document - these links are being updated so many may not be available at the present time.
Local Biodiversity Action Plan Introduction
Local Habitat Action Plans |
Local Species Action Plans |
| 1. Farmland | 1. Water voles |
| 2. Moorland | 2. Bats |
| 3. Woodland | 3. Farmland birds |
| 4. Species rich grasslands | 4. Moorland birds |
| 5. Rivers and streams | 5. Rare butterflies and moths |
| 6. Lowland wetlands | 6. Great crested newt |
| 7. Wood pasture, parkland and veteran trees | 7. White clawed crayfish |
| 8. Road verges (Local) | 8. Freshwater pearl mussel |
| 9. Maritime cliffs and slopes | 9. Junipers |
| 10. Rocky and soft shores | 10. Dwarf cornel (Local) |
| 11. Marine sublittoral habitats | 11. Arable flowers |
The targets and actions for each plan can be found on the Biodiversity Action Reporting System website: BARS. Please follow the link below:
www.ukbap-reporting.org.uk/plans/lbap.asp
Type North York Moors into the box, and follow the simple instructions to find out more. (Targets and actions for each plan are being updated so some may not be available at this time). If you would like to make a comment about these targets or actions please contact Rona Charles (details above).
Find out more about funding conservation works for priority habitats and species in the Park by visiting our Advice and Grants pages.
